Brain Stimulation Promises ‘Long-Lasting’ Maths Boost

Oxford researchers applied transcranial random noise stimulation, a mild electrical current through scalp electrodes, while 51 students practised arithmetic for five days. Compared with sham stimulation, it sped up learning, and the calculation gains were still there six months later. The researchers suggest it might one day help people with learning difficulties, stroke or neurodegenerative disease; the study was small.